Life of ... the duke of Wellington

the figures, in the most striking points of view, placing them under the boldest lights, or the deepest shades, and permitting no voice, except in explanation of the one commanding figure, the all-absorbing theme of the historic piece, to be heard. Let his prevailing topic be the mind and actions which he has deemed worthy to be painted in living characters before the eyes of posterity; and let the painter, as far as possible, be the same whose life he has chosen to exhibit.

If, then, we may venture to place old Greek and Roman models in competition with more modern authorities and ideas, -especially of some of our continental neighbours,-the simple plan pursued in the following work, of showing the Duke of Wellington in his own dress, as he was and is,-and not as we might wish to make him appear,—will meet, if not with approbation, with some degree of deference and attention, perhaps, from its novelty. Never a violent party man, he will here show in word and action, that frank and manly spirit which commands the respect of all parties; he will be seen to occupy a more prominent and commanding station than he is generally supposed to have attained—to take a leading part in the grand historic drama which astonished the world,-and he will appear in bolder and stronger lights than have hitherto been thrown upon the biographical canvass in which he is represented.

The strong and decided features which mark the character of the Duke as a general, a statesman, and a man, will be brought into fuller relief, and, in addition to the salient points, the finer shades and lights will be found to give harmony to the whole.

The records which this extraordinary man has himself given us have been so applied, as to make him the writer of his own life, the historian of his own actions,-of the characters, events, and circumstances by which he was surrounded, and from amidst which he rose, like some colossal genius to direct the storm of war, to decide the grand question regarding the independence or the subjugation of Europe.

He will be seen in the following pages as he really appeared on the scene of action, calm and self-possessed, seeking no aid but in force and originality of mind,-in variety and extent of resources, in prompt and rapid action, combined with those rarer characteristics of indomitable patience,—of a genius born to command. For, as a commander alone, the Duke of Wellington stands out in bold relief from amidst his most illustrious contemporaries. To call powers like his into active operation required a lofty sense of duty, strength of will, tenacity of purpose, magnanimity in adversity, moderation in success and victory; all which he displayed in a degree seldom paralleled. Always opposed to the extremes and to the rancour of party, he possessed judgment and penetration to act in all trials and emergencies with justice and equity, and perfect reliance upon himself.

These qualities it is our earnest desire to bring more fully into view,-to hold up to public applause and admiration a rare example of the combined power of singular talent, good fortune, unshrinking moral courage, and of still rarer patience

and perseverance, proof against every trial and obstacles apparently insurmountable.

Throughout his extraordinary career, he has proved himself one of the few who have preserved that consistency and harmony of character which create respect, which confer dignity, and deserve to exercise a powerful influence upon the opinions and actions of men.

As with all great men, there appears moreover a marked and decided progress in his mind and intellect; we observe his judgment ripen and his powers of reasoning expand. In his civil and political life these characteristics stand out in bold relief from the mediocrity by which he was surrounded.

As the leader of armies, the Duke of Wellington has long been known to all the world; but his qualities as a man, and his conduct as a statesman, have not been so well appreciated as they deserve, because they are not so well understood.

To supply this deficiency is in part the object of the present work; while it endeavours to do honour to the genius which conceived plans both military and political crowned with lasting success at Waterloo, and which decided the destinies of Europe, it will bring the diplomatist and the tutor of kings and princes into the full light which his rare and varied talents deserve.

It is true that works of considerable extent and ability, and by writers of no mean repute, have appeared which embrace every subject connected with the military history of the times; but while they accomplish the object which they have in view, they do not satisfy public curiosity and attention with regard to the individual and the man.

Important as these works are, and valuable as public records, many of them written by men who bore a share in the memorable scenes described, there is no attempt in them to give more than a mere sketch of the character and opinions of the Duke of Wellington; and, in so far it may justly be observed that, though he may have often formed the subject of a portrait, he has never before sat for a whole-length view.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

(INTRODUCTORY-1769 to 1797.)

Biography of great men-Incitements to noble exertions-Examples and parallels

-Causes of the interest felt in their success-Boyhood of distinguished men—

Intellectual superiority-Genius, its characteristics-Qualities of a great general

-Celebrated commanders-English family of the Cowleys or Colleys-Their

settlement in Ireland-Public services-Anecdotes-First Earl of Mornington-

His early death-Character of Lady Mornington-Of her eldest son, now Mar-

quis Wellesley-His noble and generous conduct- Early life and education

of the Hon. Arthur Wellesley-Introduction into military life-Promotion-

Raised to the colonelcy of the 33d regiment-Sails for Ostend-Campaign in